Theatrical costume



(No Model.)-

G. GASPARIAN. THEATRIGAL COSTUME.

No. 540,045. Patented May 28, 1895.

AMI/1 6 WI TNESSES' .4 TTORNEW- UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

GREGORY CASPARIAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEWV YORK.

TH EATRICAL COSTUME.

SEPEGIEICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,045, dated May 2e, 1895.

Application filed January 12, 1895. a No. 534,637- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, GREGORY CASPARIAN, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New 5 York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Transforming the Appearance of Human and other Figures, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawro ings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

This invention relates to means for transforming the human and other figures to represent dwarfs or apparently reduce the stature of the figure, and has forits object to provide a simple and perfectly operating means or method for so doing, and also a novel costume or set of garments for effecting the desired result.

The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, whereby the above mentioned and other desirable results are attained, and hereinafter more fully described. 1

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a figure standingin the position usually assumed when it is desired to transform said figure. Fig. 2 is a similar 0 view with the head or mask secured thereon.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the figure completely transformed. Fig. 4 is a detail View, in rear elevation, of the mask-forming part of the device. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the body-garment or coat. Fig. 6 is arear elevation of the upper garment or hood.

In the practice of my invention, the figure -is first placed in the position shown in Fig. 1 with the hands above the head, whereby said 40 figure is given a conical or dome-shaped appearance at the top, and secure upon the body of said figure at any point below the neck a mask A, of such size as to extend wholly around-the person formed with the representation of a face upon the front thereof, and with the representation of hair upon the sides and rear thereof in order that the same may be continuous and wholly conceal that portion of the person beneath the same.

The mask is secured by means of straps a upon one end thereof engaging buckles 1) upon the opposite end, and I also preferably employ a form of mask embodying movable eyelids and jaws, to which are attached rematerial B to represent arms with hands dependin g from said sleeves. From said sleeves 'or hands extend cords c which also lead to the fingers of the person or wearer, whereby the arms are manipulated similarly to the eyes or jaws of the mask. I then secure upon the person from the top of said mask around" the arms of the person to the crown of the head upon which the sameare rested a hood 0, formed of any suitable substantially stiff or but semi-flexible material, comprising an outwardly flaring main body extending from a strap or band (1 by means of which the lower end thereof is secured in contact with the top of the mask upwardly to the elbow joints of the arms, above which said hood 0 is formed in the shape of aconicaldome C. Said hood is open at the rear, andwhen placed in position is secured by buttoning, whereupon the figure being fantastically or othe;wise shod, the operation is complete.

In representing dwarfs or figures of diminutive stature upon the stage or any other entertainments, it has been necessary either to employ the very rare examples of stunted persons which may be found or those with deformed figures, or in the absence of either, clay figures have been used. By the use of my invention, however, it is obvious that a perfect representation of a dwarf may be obtained, the diflerence between the whole stature of the figure and its apparent height being represented by the hood 0 or the'vertical adjustment at which the mask A is secured. V

I consider my method of transforming a normal human figure into one of apparent lesser stature broadly novel, as also the peculiar means by which the result is effected.

I do not confine myself to the exact formation of the various parts or garments herein set forth and illustrated.

Having thus fully described my invention,

ICO

1. The means for transforming a normal figure into one of apparent lesser stature, which comprises a continuous mask or strip embodying the representation of a head adapted to surround the trunk of the body, and having means for securing the same, an enveloping garment or cloak adapted to be secured around the body beneath said mask, and a hood adapted to surround the whole of the body, head and arms above said mask, having means for securing the same and centrally flared or extended to form a conical d'om'e, whereby the hands of the figure may be rested upon the head when the same is worn, substantially as shown and described.

2. The means for transforming a normal figure into one of apparent lesser stature, comprising a continuous mask or strip embodying the representation 'of a human face and hair adapted to surround the trunk of the body, having means thereon for securing the same, an enveloping garment or cloak adapted to surround the body beneath said mask, having means for securing the same, sleeves depending from the top of said cloak and stufled to represent arms, and a hood of substantially stiff or semi-flexible material adapted to surround the body, head and arms above said mask open at the rear, and having means for securing the same upon said body, said head comprising an outwardly flared main body, and a conical dome or upper portion to form the hands of the figure to be rested upon the head, whereby the features or the mask and the arms may be manipulated by the hands of the figure through suitable connections, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 11th day of January, 1895.

V GREGORY OASPARIAN.

\Vitnesses:

PERCY T. GRIFFITH, L. MULLER. 

